In New Delhi, the Ministry of Interior vehemently denounced the assault as an act of cowardice, saying consulate staff had suffered no casualties so far.

At least two loud blasts and gunshots were reported at night. All staff members of the consulate were safe, Indian Ambassador Amar Sinha tweeted.

India’s consulate in the western Afghan city of Herat was hit in 2014, by heavily armed insurgents, including suicide bombers. The latest attack happened amid renewed efforts to restart peace talks with the Taliban.

Baryalai, a resident of the area, told Pajhwok the gunmen holed up in the building were firing at the consulate. He said the firing stopped for an hour but resumed later on.